Downsizing is like a "rite-of-passage" for the full-time RV life
Folks on the road for several years still occasionally refer back to their experience. Some with laughter, all with relief. Those of us preparing for launch in the next 1-18 months are deep into the process. Forums and Faceboook pages are filled with stories of purging and packing, garage/estate sales and Craigslist, Goodwill and dumpsters, tears and excitement. Alcohol consumption is a common theme.
You would think that after working on your own "stuff" you wouldn't want to read about other people's - nope. We all want to know that somewhere, someone has discovered the easy, painless, emotionless, dust-free answer to downsizing. At the very least we seek confirmation that others have lived through it, with limited therapy.
For me the hardest part will be final decisions about family/memory/irreplaceable items I would want to have if we ever return to a S&B home. For Bill I think he is torn between hoping it will all be done when he comes home one day - and dreading it will all be done when he comes home one day.
Not the garage!
We are keeping with "tradition" and moving through the process. In the last post, our list of Yes's was very satisfying, and encouraging, and reflects what we hoped to accomplish during that "first" 12 months. But there are still several things - small and large - we need to complete in the "second" 12 months. (Maybe you thought we had found that elusive answer.)
Selling the house and buying the coach are our two large hurdles. There are multiple scenarios that could make one overshadow the other, but clearly these are two steps that must be taken before we can launch!
The best scenario for selling the house is to our current potential buyer. I say potential because life happens while plans are made, and until ownership is turned over and money is in the bank, anything can happen. This scenario would not only negate the hassle and cost of listing and showing and negotiating, but it would guarantee us a few weeks to "rent back" the house while we move into the coach and dispose of/store the remaining items. I'm preparing a Plan B to implement in March, with no intention of needing it.
Quick and easy!!
The best scenario for buying the coach (short of winning that lottery) is walking on to the lot with a pre-approved loan and deposit in hand, having the money from the house in the bank a short time later to finalize the down payment, and driving it to the S&B following a thorough and easy-to-remember review/walk-through by the dealer. Of course we find the coach (likely the Tiffin Allegro 33aa) at a greatly discounted price and secure a low-interest loan. It has our must-haves, and the great price includes added solar panels and a hitch for the Jeep.
Just nod and smile, don't burst my bubble!
The remaining smaller things all happen before the "big-two", and a year is plenty of time to get them done. They include:
Really I'd be happy(er) if we had to get it all done in 12 weeks instead of 12 months.... Patience and flexibility is also a rite-of-passage for this lifestyle, and I don't have that answer either.
It seems like an overwhelming job but it does get accomplished. We still had our house for sale when we hit the road. We weren't waiting around for it to sell. Retirement was here and we were gone. We had purchased the MH a year earlier. The house selling would just pay off the MH. It did take 10 months to sell but it was finally gone and NOW we were living the dream debt free!!! Your time is coming. It will be here before you know it!
ReplyDeleteSo great to have the MH before the house sold - I do envy that scenario!! Here's praying we don't have to wait 10 months! Bet you had to learn patience for that as well :-).
DeletePatience for sure! When we discovered that living in a MH full time was perfect for our retirement, we had to wait eight more years for that time to arrive. It went by quickly looking back now. But at the time I wasn't sure we ever make it.
DeleteWe were so excited to be gone that we just closed up the house and took everything we thought we would need to try this thing out for a year and "make sure". Well there was never any doubt, we were sure, but then David's diagnosis threw a wrench into everything. Luckily we owned the house so that was not an issue in any decision. We didn't have to have the money.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is that you store anything you really aren't positive you want to part with especially memory things. In a year, you'll know better. Someone must have an attic that can take a couple of boxes or even a rental of a small storage unit wouldn't be a killer. It is an overwhelming job but it always gets done. You have a great attitude.
Good advice. Most of the sentimental items are small, but they add up. I know we put pressure on ourselves that isn't necessary, and decisions can still be made a year later.
DeleteI love that you were going to "try out" the life that you seem born to live :-).
Downsizing really isn't painful. You can do it in steps and that looks like that's exactly what you're doing. On the items we were ready to get rid of we got a storage shed. Matter of fact, we still have a storage shed but now we have nothing in it but our kids do. I wouldn't dream of busting your bubble. :)
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! My oldest has a storage unit......I could just slide a couple pieces in there! Thanks for the reminder :-).
DeleteTrying to get the house on the market before June. Love LOVE having the new truck/rig! Taking it out this weekend for an official outing! We are making progress with the purging but there is still more to do. Ugh. We're getting there. You're wise to start early. You'll be that much more ahead of the game.
ReplyDeleteWarming up that quick sell mojo........You're brave to get out there on a holiday weekend! Be safe and have a great time - the stuff will wait for you to get back to it :-)))))).
DeleteWe kind of did a test drive on living on the road. We were on the road 5 months and decided to sell our house and do it full-time. My dh was sent to St. Thomas for work and I had 30 days to get rid of everything and put our house on the market before he returned home and we began full-timing. I did it. I think that was easier because I didn't have much time to think. I just had to do it. We sold our house with the furniture. It was easy and sold in two weeks. Good luck to you! BTW, it feels good to me to not own a lot of stuff.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a whirlwind life change!! I agree that lots of time to think can be a curse. It's great to hear you love the life.
DeleteI feel your pain! Yesterday was one of those "I'm going to need therapy after this" days. So much to learn and do, and now, so little time. It is a fine dance to make all the pieces fall into place. So far, so good, but we're prepared for things to go sideways. (Not really, but I have to say that to myself!)
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to see how your timing goes as you get to your own launch. You seem to have everything well thought out so here's hoping the sideways doesn't happen! Gotta love that self-talk :-).
DeleteThanks for visiting and commenting on our blog! Good luck with the downsizing. Many items we agonized over getting rid of we don't even miss 2+ years down the road. :c)
ReplyDelete